Posted - 08/27/2012 : 7:26:04 PM I'm a complete nobody in the knitting world, but I would like to teach at some retreat-type events. I >LOVE< to teach. It could be socks, sweater techniques, combination knitting/injury issues, etc.

Just thought I'd put the word out there.

Ceil(Ravelry: ceilr)Time is never a factor when joy is involved.

11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)

Ceil

Posted - 09/25/2012 : 9:26:41 PM Thanks for your story, Jan. I've announced a fingerless gloves class elsewhere on KR, which has gotten quite the number of hits, but as yet no responses. However, a couple friends have told me in person they would like to do it. And here I am, embroiled in writing down all the instructions!

Ceil(Ravelry: ceilr)Time is never a factor when joy is involved.

hillstreetmama

Posted - 09/25/2012 : 7:25:27 PM Ceil - like you, I enjoy teaching, too. I've found that my most rewarding teaching time is actually at knit-nite, helping people with their problems and mistakes. I don't always get a lot done on those nites, but I leave feeling pretty good about helping others get better at knitting.

Funny story: I do clerical work in a hospital - my official job description is "medical information specialist" - so I get a lot of calls for help with questions. The other day, the switchboard operator called and said she had a question for me. I'm thinking it's going to be about a bill, or a test.....but she wanted to know if she used DK weight instead of worsted, how would that affect her project! A couple years ago, I got a call from the pre-op testing area, asking if I had time to come down there. I thought they were having problems ordering tests in the computer, and needed my help. No. The lady that called pulled out her knitting, and needed help finding her place in the pattern. It may not be high-profile teaching, but it sure is rewarding!

Jan

gcelee

Posted - 09/25/2012 : 1:14:05 PM Ceil,

I'm not sure what part of Colorado you're in, but you may want to talk to Sheri Berger at The Loopy Ewe. She and her husband relocated to Colorado Springs last year and moved the business also. She frequently has classes and also has a good sized event every spring for three days - good class selection.

Sheri has a good repuation for a strong business sense and she's a very fine knitter. You can see her blog from The Loopy Ewe's site - www.theloopyewe .

Good luck!

Carol Lee now in Austin, TX

CarolKnitting is cheaper than therapy and more effective. I enjoy it more and it's good for my blood pressure. What more could you want?

Consuelo

Posted - 09/06/2012 : 04:00:15 AM Hi, Ceil There are open calls for Stitches East / West / North / South; Fiber College in Maine and probably many others. Stitches loves 3-hour classes on specific techniques, Fiber College loves more artsy fartsy small projects.

At least here in Maine, there are many festivals and fairs where you can teach without going through a lot of hoops. They tend to be local but I'm sure Colorado has events like that.

I have had my fair share of failures in my attempts to teach: the biggest one is trying to do my own workshops in our summer home in Maine. I came up with a 3 day workshop with room and board (including a lobster dinner) for $350 and got zilch!! Also, the "proposal" as it's called for Stitches and Fiber College are a tricky business. I've taught at Fiber College but more of my proposals have been turned down than have been accepted.

My most successful teaching efforts have been at Art Centers. As you know, I spend winters in Jekyll Island, GA, and the art center there is open to anything I want to teach. Enrollment is up some years, down others but I do enjoy teaching there.

IMHO you have to assess what your purpose is in teaching. If it's generating income, shoot for the venues that are tougher to get into. I got paid $650 for one day of teaching at Fiber College - it varies by the number of students you get and I was lucky to have a full class. If your purpose is the joy of sharing your knowledge then festivals and community ed may be enough.

I'm not an expert on the subject but it seems that you must develop a "following". Maybe you can start a local group for a nominal fee for a weekly or monthly gathering. Kind of like a Stitch & beach but with a teacher. Do KALs, do "bring your troubled project", do specific techniques... whatever to get them hook on YOU.

That's my two cents worth. Best of luck.

Consuelo"Perfect" is the enemy of good!

yarnlover

Posted - 09/03/2012 : 09:50:43 AM Ceil,

I did a little teaching a few years ago and did it in my home. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't do it at home, but in a public place like a library. I didn't have any problems with doing it at home, but there was no visibility and it was harder to attract people.

In my local library, you can rent a nice, visible room for $50 for the evening. There is also a place for a flyer to advertise your event. I started a knitting group in the library's free room, (for non-profits only) by posting my flier in the library entrance area. I got a steady response, and out of all of the folks who were interested, we now have a small consistent group. The library people know me as the "knitter person" and give me a call whenever someone asks about knitting. I have been thinking about developing a class and giving it a try in the library, but sort of busy these days so haven't had time to work on this.

You could do something similar in your own area. Find a room with a reasonable rate, book it with a drop-dead cancellation date. Then post your fliers, and advertise it any other way you can. If you get enough people to cover your room rent, it may be worth doing the class just to get yourself started.

Pick a topic that is of general interest and give it a try. One thing I learned is to give yourself enough up-front time to find students, so plan early. Good luck.

Posted - 09/02/2012 : 5:51:35 PM Wow, thanks for all the encouragement! I really do want to help!

The LYSs, believe it or not, are dead ends. They have their teachers, who are employed there, and generally don't take ideas from outside. And new shops run by one person ironically don't go for outside teachers. The owner somehow feels like she has to do everything. Talk about burning out!

I guess I need a list of open-call events! Sock Summit is a good start. What else?

Consuelo, where are you? Haven't heard from you in a long time! Let's convene offlist?

Ceil(Ravelry: ceilr)Time is never a factor when joy is involved.

NutmegOwl

Posted - 08/30/2012 : 10:47:03 AM I would get started teaching through a LYS so you can develop a local following first - that often paves the way for some "cred" and helps open other doors.

Donna, with intentions always bigger than her available time. (OkieDokieKnitter on Ravelry)

kbshee

Posted - 08/29/2012 : 11:29:17 AM I think some fiber fests also have an 'open call' (probably a better term) for teachers--where you propose a class and the organizers say yay or nay. I know they do that at Sock Summit and I think also at some of the Stitches Events.

Posted - 08/29/2012 : 10:22:07 AM Ceil, you're not "a complete nobody" in the knitting world, when you have this group admiring your process and work. I loved following your progress on the Cowichan sweater, for one. And I'm very interested in your work on injury issues.

What about setting up your own retreat? I think Consuelo has done something like this. I would imagine it is a lot of work but maybe worth it?

flicka

crafty1mjw@comcast.net

Posted - 08/28/2012 : 4:00:41 PM Hi, Ceil! Not sure this is what you r looking for, but contact your local community center or local senior center.Also, contact the yarn & craft stores; all of these might may be able to help u!

craftymjw

Keep on knitting!A balanced diet is a peanut butter cookie in each hand!